A/HRC/7/23 page 6 11. In her initial report, the independent expert identified, as a key thematic priority for her work, enhancing the understanding of minority issues in the context of promoting inclusion and stability. In this context, on 6 and 7 December 2007, the independent expert convened an expert consultation on the issue of the discriminatory denial or deprivation of citizenship as a tool for the exclusion of minorities. The consultation served as a means to benefit from the knowledge and experience of affected communities, regional experts, United Nations bodies and agencies, representatives of regional intergovernmental institutions and civil society. In addition, on 15 October 2007, the independent expert sent a questionnaire to all Member States of the United Nations requesting information on issues related to minorities and citizenship. The responses to the questionnaire will be made available on the web page of the independent expert. 12. The section below contains an analysis of the problem of denial or deprivation of citizenship as it affects persons belonging to minorities. It is based primarily on the outcome of the expert consultation convened by the independent expert in December 2007. II. MINORITIES AND THE DISCRIMINATORY DENIAL OR DEPRIVATION OF CITIZENSHIP 13. Minorities often face discrimination and exclusion, and they struggle to have their human rights respected even under conditions of full and unquestioned citizenship. Stripping them of citizenship can be an effective method of compounding their vulnerability, and even lead to mass expulsion. Experience in all regions demonstrates this reality. Once denied or deprived of citizenship, minorities are inevitably denied protection of their basic rights and freedoms, including minority rights, as established in the Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities. 14. In the present report, citizenship is not considered by the independent expert a condition for the enjoyment of all human rights, including minority rights. Rather, international human rights law makes clear that only a limited number of rights may be made dependent on citizenship: rights to enter and reside permanently within the territory of a State; the right to be protected by the State when one is outside its territory; and a set of political rights (for example, the right to vote and hold office).1 However, citizenship continues to be defined by many States as the primary legal bond between an individual and the State, which confers rights. 15. Discrimination is both a cause and a consequence of State actions that seek to marginalize minorities. The reasons for which States discriminatorily deny or deprive persons of their right to citizenship are often rooted in racist ideologies. Evidence demonstrates that discriminatory denial or deprivation of citizenship2 disproportionately affects persons belonging to minorities. 1 In certain situations, economic and social rights are considered by States to be dependent on citizenship. 2 The denial and the deprivation of citizenship are quite similar concepts, and the practical consequences for individuals are much the same. However, the distinction may be characterized